Chris Zukowski
Reporting and statements that mention Chris Zukowski.
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What is the Game Developer Podcast? | GameDeveloper.com
The GameDeveloper.com podcast features interviews with prominent figures in the video game industry, discussing game development, design challenges, and labor relations. Hosted by Bryant Francis, the bi-weekly show includes past conversations with developers like Liz England, Sarah Elmaleh, and Charles Cecil, covering topics from game preservation to marketing.
Valve made it roughly 15 times harder for indie games to reach a coveted Steam ranking, but one expert says an understated new Steam feature is doing god's work
Valve has significantly increased the wishlist requirements for games to appear on Steam's 'Popular Upcoming' feed, making it approximately 15 times harder for indie titles to gain visibility. However, indie expert Chris Zukowski highlights that a new personalized calendar feature on Steam is now providing a substantial boost to indie developers, driving wishlists and offering more targeted exposure than the previous system.
"That is an $11,000 gold texture": Steam researcher says "supporter packs" make a lot of free money because PC gamers love to spend on their favorite games
Steam researcher Chris Zukowski argues that PC game developers should offer supporter packs and digital soundtracks as day-one DLC, even for free-to-play titles. He highlights examples where these offerings generated significant revenue with minimal development effort, suggesting PC gamers are willing to spend extra on games they enjoy through these non-gameplay affecting DLCs.
Steam's new "golden age" is special because so many genres are popping off at once, indie expert says: "It's almost like the player base was drinking and their inhibitions lowered"
Indie game advisor Chris Zukowski believes Steam is experiencing a "golden age" due to a simultaneous boom across multiple genres, including idle games, friendslop, horror, and Survivors-likes. This trend reduces the barrier to entry for developers and caters to PC gamers' appetite for new experiences, contrasting with the stricter console market. Zukowski emphasizes that while not a "gold rush," specific genres offer opportunities for developers willing to target them.
"Gabe cannot buy yachts with wishlists": Steam expert begs devs to make the most of their hit games, because to Valve "you're like a little goblin that has a magical power to turn straw into gold"
Steam expert Chris Zukowski advises game developers on maximizing sales for successful titles on the platform. He emphasizes leveraging wishlists through regular discounts and special sales events, noting that most players do not buy games at full price. Zukowski also highlights the importance of ongoing support through updates, DLC, and bundles to maintain a game's momentum and visibility within Steam's ecosystem.
Steam expert advises devs stick to the "Little League" section of idle games and friendslop before attempting anything like Binding of Isaac or Mewgenics: "Then you can make your dream"
Steam expert Chris Zukowski advises indie developers to start with smaller, "friendslop" or idle games on Steam to build experience before tackling larger projects like Mewgenics. He likens this approach to starting in "Little League" before moving to more complex games, emphasizing the importance of iterative development and learning from smaller projects.
